Renaming install.php for security?

I agree that this is a good step to take in hardening the site. I would not recommend interfering directly with the files from WordPress for the exact reason your describe: updates will overwrite it.

Two options I would recommend:

  • Use a hardening plug-in to help you do this
  • Add a rule to .htaccess to prevent people from accessing the file

In the wp-admin folder add this to .htaccess:


<Files install.php>
Order Allow,Deny
Deny from all
</Files>

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